The Court of Souls?

“A triple deity (sometimes referred to as threefold, tripled, triplicate, tripartite, triune or triadic, or as a trinity) is a deity associated with the number three. Such deities are common throughout world mythology; the number three has a long history of mythical associations. Carl Jung considered the arrangement of deities into triplets an archetype in the history of religion.”

- The Journey to the Afterlife

***Dedessia, the Sea of Souls, Nurien***

***Elona***

I take a sip from the beverage which we get served here. It isn't exactly wine, but some kind of fermented, red fruit... it tastes horrible. Then I survey the ballroom and notice that there is some attention on Shade and me.

Doreen gave us four names of suspected traitors who would suit Shade's criteria

Surprisingly one of them is Titho. She was a member of Draconis before she switched to Carissimi.

We also have Zeren, a dark skinned, lanky man with white hair. He joined us on our diplomatic mission to Draconis. If I remember correctly, he wasn't very interested in our current situation. Could it have been because he already knew the outcome?

Another candidate is Grixen, but he isn't a member of the ruling group. Just a mid who transferred to us because he fell in love with a woman from Carissimi. Heck, he runs a small smithy between Yggdrasil's roots and, according to Doreen, he almost never steps outside of his workshop.

Another possibility is Miraven. She is a higher immortal who has been with us since the clan split. And according to Doreen's knowledge, she was always a good friend of Moonray. There are also the regular visits to Draconis to 'see old friends'.

What's a big point against her, is that she also was on a scouting mission when the clan got attacked. Just like me, she was out of the way of the fight and only returned long after everything was over.

Circumstance? Or a deliberate action to be out of harm's way when the slavers attack?

I lean backwards to rest my back against Shade's chest. Sitting on his lap is really comfortable. “They are staring at us.”

“Let them stare,” he mumbles.

“Do you think that it is strange? Doreen I mean? She had all those details readily at hand. She didn't even need her documents,” I mutter, a little terrified of the answer.

Shade grumbles deep in his chest, thinking, but then he answers. “You must be a far better judge of her than me. But as I see it, it simply means that she already was considering possibilities. You already suspected that you have a traitor in your midst. So she had to search for people with possible motives. Outsiders are the first suspects.”

“I am afraid that we won't find him or her fast enough. What if Yggdrasil reaches your safe zone and we still don't have that spy? Your city is so big, it will be easy to hide homing charms for the portals. We can never find all of them,” I muse.

Shade shifts under me, seeking a more comfortable position. “Don't worry. When I heard about the way your clan was attacked, I devised inhibitors to stop enemy portals from being opened. And who says that you have just one traitor? Draconis's and Carissimi's relationship with each other was so tight that the two populations still treat each other as one. You could have any number of traitors in your midst. Knowing ones and unknowing ones.”

Oh, that's right. I almost forgot that he is a genius when it comes to all sorts of magic. This world may lack resources, but rigging up something as important as that should be easy to him. And if the tool in question ensures survival, it may be worth to sacrifice the scarce comfort the city can provide.

“I am not entirely sure if I should be happy, or frightened about what you just told me. We need a way to deal with the security risks, and fast.”

As I let my eyes wander through the room I notice something else. “Hm, you know... while I was still single... while I didn't have you around me, yes, that's better. While I didn't have you around, I permanently had to deal with those lecherous glances and more than one hourly attempt at gaining my affection. I know that we returned to the party to make our relationship official, openly displaying affection for each other. But I didn't imagine that the effect would be this huge.

“The glares are still there, but fewer, and none of them are in that ogling way any longer. And the one person who actually started coming our way, made a ninety degree turn after just a few steps and ran off in another direction. So convenient.” I marvel at the effects of sitting on a guy's lap. My entire life so far, I was either seen as some kind of sex toy, or as something which has to be kept at a distance.

“That's because I am telling them that they should better keep their distance,” Shade grumbles.

I frown. “Telling them to keep their distance? How? You didn't say a single word.”

“I am looking at them. Those guys have no right to undress you with their eyes,” he growls.

I cross my arms in front of my chest and turn around. For a moment I get a glimpse of a fearsome expression, but Shade quickly hides it behind a smile upon making eye contact with me. What a fellow, scaring off the chances to get connections with other clans.

It seems like our extended family has to do all the work regarding diplomacy.

That's when I catch Takea and Lirian approaching us. Their arms are linked and Lirian wears a smug expression on his face. When the two of them reach us, he speaks, “It seems like you already decided to sink your fangs into him before ever giving me a chance. And here I thought that there was something between us.”

My eyes wander to their linked arms. “I don't feel bad for you. You can't have felt that much for me if you get over it within a few hours. I wish you luck with your... flick.”

“Flick?” Takea blinks. “I am not some kind of easy woman like you! Since when do you know Shade? A few hours?”

“Actually we just remembered that we are soul mates. We share more than an eternity of memories. Sorry if you had your eyes on me, Takea. But I hope that you'll be happy with that guy.” Shade plays with my hair and winks at the girl.

“Soul bonded? That explains a lot. I already thought that my seduction skills are lacking in some department.” Takea sighs in relief.

“Seduction skills?” Shade asks dumbfounded.

“Yeah, you didn't notice any of it while I offered myself on your lap, did you? I felt so dirty, because of it. And you didn't even twitch,” the girl complains.

Then she straightens up. “So does that also mean that you will join the bout?”

“Bout?” I don't know anything about a bout. “What do you mean?”

She circles her finger at us. “The competition at the end of the party. Every couple which found each other can join. It is to test their skills against the others. What the competition is about is up to the participants. The participants can choose the field of expertise. But most choose a battle to frighten the other clans by displaying their skills.”

“Come, Takea. I am sure that those two are above such activities.” Lirian takes his partner's hand and guides her away. Though Takea gives me a suggestive wink while disappearing into the crowd. Or was it meant for Shade?

I want to punch her. “Shade, should we join this competition?”

“I don't care. And I am pretty sure that Aswang and Manticore will join it too. I don't want to compete with them. I want to do something else.” His deep voice at my ear sends a shiver down my spine. Then he picks me up and carries me off in a princess carry.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Searching for a quiet place and ensuring that everyone can see where we are going. Ten times better and more effective than playing lovely dovely for some creepy spectators.”

Oh, my. We indeed wanted everyone to know that we are involved with each other, but doing it like this!

He heads for the hallway with the private bedrooms and enters the first free room. The door falls shut and he locks it behind us.

I am not entirely against doing it, but being treated as some kind of tool to release his urges doesn't sit right with me. But I was sort of torturing him since the morning and now it is early evening. Sitting on a guy's lap and openly displaying affection for him must tear at his nerves.

There is a big bed in the room, but Shade chooses the huge dining table instead. He carries me over and kisses me under my chin. All thoughts of protest are gone in an instant and replaced by a feeling of butterflies in my stomach.

He places me on the table and undoes my clothes. The feeling of his hands and lips on my body makes my world spin and suddenly I find myself in a very unladylike position. He tosses my panties up into the air, landing them on the glowball which is hanging from the ceiling.

I want to protest. Finding all our clothes was a problem when we did it the last time. But suddenly his head is between my legs and my eyes widen in surprise. I grab the edge of the desk as the unbelievable feeling of what he is doing blows any coherent thought away.

This is bad! If he continues... I... “Stop!”

But he doesn't stop. Instead he grabs my chest and I feel a rush of energy pouring into me. The incredible sensation of pure life energy sends me over the edge even as he strokes my inner thighs. He tastes so sweet, it is pure bliss! And then he pulls me towards him to get me in position.

I want to protest, have to warn him. But he raises my leg and spears into me. I forget to breathe as he thrusts. It is clear that he is in great need. My ability ignites his fire and he growls in satisfaction. Something inside me breaks and I moan, locking my legs around him. Then I demand even more of his power by circling my hips.

My body moves on its own and the will to fight back is gone. Suddenly he thrusts harder and something hot and liquid enters me together with even more energy than I ever got. Not even when I sucked that god dry. My entire lower region shudders and rocks uncontrollably and I finally remember to suck in fresh air.

Shade collapses on top of me, all power and strength gone.

For a moment I fear that I have really killed him this time, but then I feel his hot breath between my breasts. I try to push him off, but even though I got all that power I am weak and unable to do it. All the energy is concentrated in my belly.

Luckily he moans and raises his head by himself. “What happened!? Where is Legna!?”

“Who... is... Legna?” I manage to say.

“You sucked out one of my souls!” He accuses me.

“Souls? You have more than one?” I don't get what's going on. “I feel weak.” All I can look at is the ceiling while the world tries to spin away from me.

He places a hand on my forehead and his energy invades me. I feel him probing and prodding while he explores my whole being with his hands.

Finally his hands stop on my belly. “That's where she went!”

I raise my head and look down on myself. Then I get the implications. “Fuck no... just who...” I lay back again. Why am I that affected?

He scratches his chin and licks his lips. “Well, I know her as Legna. But now that I have my memories back, I think that it might be Seria.”

“Seria?” Our daughter? The final part of our soulbond? “Why is she here?”

“I am afraid, I killed her.”

“Hah?” It's sad, but I can't make sense of this! My head is still spinning.

“Seems like your power also flowed into her. Apparently it took energy from both of us to anchor her to us.” He snaps his fingers in front of my face, but I am too far gone. He grumbles, “she is totally out of it. Once I have to explain everything, there will be hell to pay! I might as well enjoy this as long as I have the chance.”

“Hah?” I raise my hands and realize that I broke two pieces of wood out of the table. Crap! This will cost us.

“Don't worry. You will be back to top shape in no time! I'll help.” He flips me on my belly and the next thing I know is that he is thrusting again.

Heeeeeyyy! I am supposed to be the sex demon here! What is going on?

Does he intend on making up for ten years in that tundra in just two nights!?

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